Fort Mosta A Victorian military installation dating back to 1878 and making up one of the four main fortifications of the Victoria Lines. Fort Mosta lies in the middle of the fortified lines overlooking the Great Fault, a geological feature which separates the northern parts of the island of Malta from its southern half. Fort Mosta, sited on the higher ground facing the lower ground to its front used to guard this terrain which was considered to be prone to invasion by the enemies of the British Empire in a bid to capture and control Malta, so strategic a base in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Fort Mosta has a pentagonal keep which is protected by a ditch and a number of gun emplacements along the perimeter of the fort. This fortification is well-kept and it makes an interesting visit both to the military enthusiast as well as to the uninitiated. Within the grounds of Fort Mosta there is also a small catacomb. Originally this was a neo-Punic shaft/tomb but this was enlarged and now depicts an early Christian catacomb complete with agape table.

Dwejra Lines
On the outskirts of Mosta, overlooking the hamlets of Bidnija and Zebbiegh, there is a fortified defensive wall called the Dwejra Lines. Making part of the comprehensive complex of fortifications known as the Victoria Lines, the Dwejra Lines were started in 1881 and by the first years of the 1890s were nearly complete. These fortified lines were meant to include a number of artillery pieces and musketry positions. The Dwejra Lines blend well with the surrounding landscape and their visibility from the landward approach is so subdued that they offered an invading enemy a very slim chance of targeting them. These lines continue as the defensive wall that covers the Falka Gap. Back in 1732 under the Order’s rule, the Knights had built the Falca entrenchment for the same purpose of defence as the Dwejra Lines built by the British.

Targa Battery
On the left of Targa Gap lies a fortification which was purposely built to defend the rather low escarpment found in this area. Moreover the hill at Bidnija could further threaten this position if no precautions were taken. Thus, 1887 saw the start of the building of the pentagonal Targa Battery, separated from the rest of the Victoria lines by a ditch. As with the Dwejra Lines, Targa Battery blends well with the environs that host it.

Victoria Lines
Along all the Great Fault, which divides the island of Malta in two, runs a defensive line of fortifications known collectively as the Victoria Lines. At Mosta these can be identified in the defences under the names of Dwejra Lines, Targa Battery, Fort Mosta and the fortified wall that links them together. The Victoria Lines were constructed in a period spanning about 30 years (between 1870 and 1899). They were named after Queen Victoria when in 1897 she was celebrating the diamond jubilee or 60th anniversary of her reign. In the Mosta area the Victoria Lines are well preserved and, especially the section running along the public garden ‘Gnien l-Gharusa tal-Mosta’ (near Targa Gap) leading to Fort Mosta is accessible and can be followed with ease.